What does "it is not permissible (la yajuzu)" mean? Is it haram, makruh or something else? How binding is it? What happens if I do something that is not permissible?

What does "it is not permissible (la yajuzu)" mean? Is it haram, makruh or something else? How binding is it? What happens if I do something that is not permissible?

Dear Brother / Sister,

The phrase "it is not permissible (la yajuzu)" is used for the things that are not halal and mubah. Haram things are meant with this expression; it is also used for things that are originally halal but become haram under certain circumstances. For instance, shopping is halal but it is not halal at the time of Friday prayer for somebody for whom Friday prayer is fard.

To regard as permissible means to approve; to be permissible means not to be objectionable, not to be forbidden by the religion. The phrase, which is the opposite of it, means not to be halal, that is, to be objectionable, not to be appropriate, or to be religiously prohibited.

The phrase "is not permissible" used about eating or using something means haram or halal. For instance, when it is said, "it is not permissible to eat pork, to drink alcohol", it means it is haram and not halal.

"It is abominably (makruh) permissible" is also used for something makruh.

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